Much to the regret of AFC Newbury boss Guy Whittingham, his side are no longer involved in the championship race.

The Berkshire club's Faraday Road ground passed its FA inspection with flying colours, but the post-Vase decline continued last night when they crashed 1-0 at home to ten-man Totton.

Steve Whitcher bagged the winner five minutes into the second half after Mark Osman had cut in from the right and unselfishly squared the ball to the former Hamble striker.

The Testwood Park club played the last half-hour undermanned after Gareth Byers was sent off for a second bookable offence.

"I've just given the players the analogy of our games being like boxing matches," said Whittingham. "We get loads of points in front but then get knocked out.

"We had six shots in the first half tonight, but only one on target. For all the good build-up play, there's no end result. It's very frustrating."